PCRD: Burning begins near Summit Prairie

By on Friday, October 20th, 2023 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News More Top Stories

PRAIRIE CITY – (Press Release from the Malheur National Forest)

The Prairie City Ranger District fire staff is planning to begin prescribed burning operations on Friday, October 20, 2023, weather conditions permitting.



Ignitions are planned in Summit 13, south of Summit Prairie, along Forest Road 1651. Approximately 300-400 acres are planned for treatment. Fire personnel will monitor the units for several days after completion. 

The public may see and smell smoke throughout the operations. Visibility on roads may be reduced and drivers near the project area are encouraged to use caution.

Each prescribed burn is designated to accomplish specific objectives related to increasing forest health. Prescribed burns will be conducted only under appropriate conditions to ensure firefighter and public safety. Appropriate conditions include correct temperatures, wind, fuel moisture, and smoke weather forecast. When all these criteria are met, firefighters implement, monitor, and patrol the burn to ensure the forest health and public safety goals are met.

Prescribed fire information is available to the public on a tri-forest online map. The map is labeled and color-coded to show each burn unit’s status: planned, active, or completed. Additionally, forest users can view other features including current and past-year burn units, National Forest boundaries and State wildlife management boundaries.

Updates will be posted on the Malheur National Forest Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/MalheurNationalForest.

For additional information about the Malheur National Forest, visit our website at www.fs.usda.gov/malheur or call the Supervisor’s Office at 541-575-3000.